Melburnalia No. 2, the much anticipated companion piece to Melburnalia (2007), opens for a three-week season on 22 May at fortyfivedownstairs. The show, directed by David Mence (Macbeth Re-Arisen, Melburnalia, AD on MTC’s Blackbird and BSC’s Othello), is comprised of five 20-minute pieces specially commissioned and dramaturged by the company with the interlinking theme of ‘tramways’. The result is a fascinating journey that will take audiences through the decades, over the fences, under the awnings and into the collective psyche of our city.

Come on board (remember to validate!) for a rattling, screeching, ding-ding-dinging ride through history to the mythical suburb of ‘Birrarung’ (river of mists) at the heart of the town, where ancient warriors and lost icons dance in the dusty ballroom of Flinders Street Station. Stay on through Maribyrnong, where exiles wait anxiously on both sides of high walls. Zip through Caulfield, where the pressures of parenthood create New Year’s Eve strife for some childish Gen Xers. Charge up to Preston where muddy piggeries abounded before the smug gentry moved in, then disembark at Mentone, home to a superb symphony of suburban sounds.